‘Rampant pay cynicism’ threatens companies, report finds

“A depleted workforce paired with cynicism about pay creates a precarious moment for employers,” a global rewards leader at Marsh said.

By Lara Ewen • Sept. 18, 2026

This week in 5 numbers: Amazon will give grocery benefits to workers

Here’s a roundup of numbers from the last week — including how many employers say artificial intelligence is actually slowing down the hiring process.

By Ginger Christ • Sept. 17, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Inside the rapidly changing world of employee benefits

Healthcare costs are climbing and employee needs are changing. How can HR professionals adapt?

By HR Dive staff

How can employers boost workers’ 401(k)s? Student loan matching.

The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 for the first time allowed employers to match eligible employee payments on student loans.

By Ginger Christ • Sept. 17, 2026

Amazon ups minimum hourly starting wage to $20

The e-commerce company increased pay by $1 an hour for full-time employees in core operations and added new grocery discounts.

By Dani James • Sept. 17, 2026

Employers may not know how to explain their pay decisions, Aon says

Only a third of those surveyed said they have conducted a pay remediation analysis, and only 5% could say that remediation is largely complete.

By Caroline Colvin • Sept. 17, 2026

More than half of young workers want to switch jobs soon for better pay, benefits

The share of Generation Z employees looking for greener pastures is on the rise, Robert Half found.

By Ginger Christ • Sept. 16, 2026

Amazon invests $230M in benefits, pay for Whole Foods store employees

As the company continues to merge its operations with the specialty grocer, this next investment focuses on its front-line workers.

By Peyton Bigora • Sept. 15, 2026

8 stories on the healthcare affordability crunch

A vice president at the Business Group on Health recently said employers are at “an inflection point.”

By Ginger Christ • Sept. 10, 2026

Finance is ‘leaning in’ to manage healthcare costs, WTW exec says

CFOs are increasingly partnering with HR executives to help trim rising healthcare costs, WTW’s Tim Stawicki says.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Sept. 3, 2026

Employers predict moderate pay increases for fourth consecutive year

But compensation decisions often “continue well beyond the annual merit cycle,” Marsh said.

By Ginger Christ • Sept. 3, 2026

The wavering economy ticks up as a factor in executive benefits decisions

Retention and succession planning remain the key priorities, although many companies have no benefits strategies designed to support leadership transition.

By David McCann • Sept. 2, 2026

EY earmarks $100M in rewards for ‘future-focused’ employees

The Big Four accounting firm is looking to reward employees who drive “meaningful change” through innovation, disruption, technology or growth.

By Alexei Alexis • Sept. 1, 2026

As costs mount, employees say they want financial, not wellness benefits

Pay growth and long-term incentives matter most at the moment as well as spot bonuses with increased frequency, Gartner said.

By Kathryn Moody • Sept. 1, 2026

Williams-Sonoma to spread tariff refunds to vendors, employees

The kitchenware retailer is funneling $10 million toward the retirement accounts of workers who helped it navigate tariffs while also reimbursing vendors for discounts. 

By Phil Neuffer • Sept. 1, 2026

US firms plan to increase employee base salary budgets by an average 3.3% in 2027

A majority of companies are also expecting incentive payouts to fall below target levels.

By David McCann • Aug. 31, 2026

Week in review: Healthcare costs may rise nearly 10% next year

We’re rounding up last week’s stories, including a new H-1B visa fee proposed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

By Kathryn Moody • Aug. 31, 2026

Employers offer loan repayment, ‘re-recruiting’ to attract skilled labor

The data center boom is forcing contractors and other employers to rethink how they attract and retain sought-after workers like electricians and plumbers.

By Lisa Burden • Aug. 28, 2026

DOL, other agencies address questions about wellness program surcharges

Aspects of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act that were once seen as “settled” continue to be challenged, an attorney told HR Dive.

By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 27, 2026

Employers at an ‘inflection point’ as health costs near double-digit increases

But many won’t be able to take drastic cost-cutting measures until 2028 at the earliest, the Business Group on Health’s president and CEO said.

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 27, 2026

Healthcare costs could rise by nearly 10% in 2027

Employers cover more than 80% of the burden, but employees will also be hit by rising costs, an Aon report found.

By Lara Ewen • Aug. 25, 2026

Feds propose ‘Trump Account’ regulations as older workers’ retirement hopes dwindle

Trump Accounts will help eligible children “enjoy years of compound earnings for their future college, retirement and other needs,” an IRS leader said.

By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 20, 2026

More than a third of workers say their retirement age has moved later

Employees’ reasons for delaying retirement included the cost of living, not earning enough and a lack of savings.

By Ginger Christ • Aug. 20, 2026

Premiums, out-of-pocket costs dominate Americans’ healthcare concerns, survey shows

Respondents were split on who should solve the issues, with Democrats more likely to say the federal government and Republicans more likely to name insurers, according to a survey from the Commonwealth Fund.

By Sy Mukherjee • Aug. 17, 2026

Bank of America won’t let employees work remotely 2 days in a row

The ban on taking two consecutive remote days includes Friday to Monday and takes effect in mid-September, according to a policy update workers received earlier this month.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • Aug. 17, 2026

1 in 5 Gen Xers don’t think they’ll ever retire, study suggests

Rising costs and inflation have derailed the retirement plans of many workers, according to a Zety report.

By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 17, 2026